Numbering-machine.



No. 686,728. Patented Nov. I9, |90I.

C. G. HARRIS & J. F. McNUTT.

NUMBERING MACH|NE. (Appiicacion mea June 27, 189s.)

(No Model.) l0 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 686,728. Patented Nov. I9, mol. c. c. HARRIS & J. F. McNuTT.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

(Application led June 27, 1898.) No Nudel.) l0 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Witwe/om Z441 f m/ m: Nonms paens co, Pnowuwq. wAsmNnTon. o. c.

`No. 686,728. Patented Nov. 19, 19m. C. G. HARRIS-61. J F. MCNUTT.

NumBEmNG MACHINE.

(Appnmion mea June 2'7, 1898.

ma ucmus PETERS no. mmouwa, wnsmnsmu. u, c.

No.' 686,728. Patented Nov. I9, -ISDL C. G. HARRIS'& J F. MGNUTT.

Numgmus MACHINE.

(Appncaidn mea .mue 27, lees.,

lo sham-sheet 4.

Ulu Model.)

wt Hawes 1H: Nosms PETERS co., PHoTo-Lno.. WASHINGTON. u. n.

No. 686,728. Patented Nov. 19, |901.

c. HARRIS & J. F. McNuTT.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

(Application led June 27, 1B98.|

' lo snee-ts-sheet 5.'

(No Model.)

No. 686,728. Patnted'nuv. |9`,`|9o|.

c. el. HARRIS @L J. nmcnur.

Y NUMBERING MACHINE.

`(Application led June 27, 1898.

7 (No Mmm.)y lo sheets-sheet 6.

Patented Nov. I9, 90|.

. I0 Sheets-Sheet 7.

C. G. HARRIS & J. F. ,MGNUTT.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

.(Applicat ion filed June 27, 1898.1

(N0 Model.)

No. 686,728. Patented Nov. I9,- I90I. C. G. HARRIS & J. F. MCNUTT.

NUMBERING MACHINE.

(No MDQL) (Applicationled June 27, 1898. [0 Sh/efs-Shgef 8 '.No.v 686,728. Patented Nov. I9, IQUI.

C. G. HARRIS J. F. NIGNLITT..`

NUMBERING MACHINE.

(Application led June 27, 1898.|

@No Model.) I0 Sheets-Sheet 9.

' No. 686,728. Patnteafnov. I9, mol..

" n.116. HARRIS & J. F. McNuTT.

NUMBEHING MACHINE.

(Application led .une 2?, l1898.) I

a G @WV limitan STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES GRANT HARRIS, OF NILES, AND .IOI'IN FRANKLIN MCNUTT, OF

VARREN, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE HARRIS AUTOMATIC PRESS COM- PANY, OF NILES, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

NUMBERlNG-MACHINE.

SPECFKCATEO N forming part of Letters Fatent N o. 686,728, dated November 19, 1901. Application filed June 27,1898. Serial No. 684,527. (No model.)

T @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that We, CHARLES GRANT HAR- RIS, residing at Niles, and JOHN FRANKLIN MCNUTT, residing at Varren, in the county of Trumbull and State of Ohio, have invented certain neu7 and useful Improvements in NuInbering-lilachines; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in numbering-machines, having reference to that class en1 ployed for consecutively numbering various kinds of blanks, such as bank-checks,cot ton-checks, caf-checks, or any blanks which are usually printed in sheets to be subsequently paged and bound together. The machine mayalso be used for consecutively numbering the lines of a page.

I-Ieretofore the ordinary met-hed in general vogue of printing numbers on blank spaces of checks and their stubs consists in placing the sheet composed of six checks and correspending stubs into a single heading-machine, printing the number irst on the check and then on the stub, the numbering-head being arranged to repeat each number once. In this Way each check and its stub are numbered alike. The positioning of each sheet has to be done by hand, and the eye is the guide for insuring the accurate imprint of the type.

By our improvements the uncertainties of registering the blanks are entirely overcome, and the sheet to be numbered is mechanically fed with such accuracy that the blanks provided for the numbers are uniformly positioned directly beneath the numberingheads,` the feeding of the sheet being continued until all the number-spaces thereon have been printed upon.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a view in perspective of our improved machine. Fig. 2 is au end View'. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a side elevation. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. Gis an enlarged View, in side elevation, of the stop mechanism. Fig. 7 is a View in perspective of portions of the latter. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a clutchpinion. Fig. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View thereof. Fig. 10 is a View of portion of the clutch-operating lever and treadle mechanism. Fig. 10a is a View in perspective showing some of the parts of Fig. 10. Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 1l 11, Fig. 3. Fig. 12 is a face View of a clutch-Wheel for reversing the motion of the stop mechanism. Fig. 13 is au enlarged view in perspective of details of said` clutch. Fig. 14 is a view of the retaining-lever, parts being broken away. Figs. 15 and 16 are opposite end views of the gripper-carriage. Fig. 17 is a View similar to Fig. 15 and in addition the arm for effecting the opening of the grippers. Fig. 18 is a plan View of one end of the gripper-carriage. Fig. 19 is a View in perspective, and Fig. 2O a vertical sectional View of one of the grippers. Fig. 21 is an end View of the clutchpulley. Fig.v 22 is a side View thereof, a portion being in vertical section. Fig. 23 is a view in perspective of the clutch-operating slide. Fig. 24 is an inner face View thereof. Fig. 25 is an enlarged detail of a portion of the holdback mechanism. Figs. 26 and 28 are views in perspective of other portions of the holdbacks. Fig. 27 is a sectional view of a portion of one of the stop-wheels. Fig. 29 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of one of the numbering-head carriers and adjuncts. Fig. 30 is 'a cross-sectional View of one of the tympan-pads. Fig-31 is a View of one of the arms for disengaging a sheet from the grippers.

Referringto the drawings, A designates a supporting-column; a, the base thereof; a', a horizontal laterally-projecting bar at the top of said column, and a2 side frames bolted to ends of the bar et.

B is a table upon which the sheets to be numbered are designed to be' placed. This table consists, preferably, of two flat plates or boards suitably united together. At its ends this table is supported by uprights of the side frames a2. Extending over the inner section of this table are dovetailed bars l), upon which are ad justabl y arranged tympanpads b', preferably composed of paper and cardboard held in place by a surrounding frame b2 on a block b3. Across the table is located a metallic bar or strip hX, which is adjustable lengthwise of said table, so as to form a guide for the sheets of paper.

C is a table designed to receive the sheets after they are printed upon; but any other receptacle may be employed. This table is shown as consisting of a board pivotally mounted on the upper end of a post b4, adjustably held in a bracket h5, secured to base a.

D is a gripper-carriage which is caused to travel horizontally back and forth longitudinally of the machine between the side frames c2, the forward movement being periodically arrested according to the predetermined spacing between the several imprints. A transverse rod d is mounted at its ends in yokes d. These yokes are movable on rods cl2, the ends d3 of said yokes having tubular openings to accommodate said rods. The latter are disposed longitudinally of the machine parallel to the side frames and are supported by depending portions of the frames on a plane lower than the table B. The tubular portions d4 of the yokes in which the rod d is accommodated are split and held by bolts d5. On this rod d is a series of spaced-apart grippers d6. Each gripper has a casing d, formed with an opening to accommodate rod d, and is split so that it can be adjusted on said rod and held tight by a screw d8. To the front of this casing is secured a plate d?, having a central bulged portion, in which is located a spiral spring d10. This spring rests on the lower flanged end of plate df and bears upwardly against the lower movable jaw (112, normally holding the latter against the under side of the stationary jaw C113. The latter consists of a plate attached to the top of casing dl and bent or curved upwardly at its outer end. The movable jaw is shown as consisting of a Z-shape plate inclosed by the plate dg, against the top of which the upper horizontal iiange of said jaw-plate is designed to rest when lowered. This is effected by the engagement with the lower horizontal flange of the movable jaw of a nose e, mounted on a rod e', which is capable of being partly rotated. This nose is formed with a circular portion e2, which ts on the said rod and is provided with a'groove to accommodate a longitudinal rib or spline e3. In this way thev nose e is capable of sliding on its rod when the grippercasing is moved on rod d. The opening of the gripper is effected by an arm e4 on one end of rod e causing the partial rotation of the latter upon a roller eX thereof engaging an overhanging arm c5, adjustably secured at one end to one of the rods d2. This engagement occurs as the gripper-carriage reaches the rearward limit of its movement. By adjusting the position of the arm e5 the opening of the grippers can be eected at any desired point. When the grippers are thus opened-that is, when the movable jaw is lowered by the partial rotation of rod e'-the parts are so held until the gripper-carriage reaches the forward limit of its movementthat is, with the grippers close up against the edge of table B-the upper stationary jaw overlapping said edge. This is effected by an arm e6 on one end of rod e engaging with and being held by a spring-pressed pawl e7 when said rod is turned by arm c5. This pawl depends from one of the yokes d. When the carriage is at the forward limit of movement, this pawl will be disengaged from arm e6 when crowded rearward by the engagement therewith of a screw es in an upwardlyprojected post e, which is under the control of a foot-treadle. The release of arm e6 frees the rod e and allows the springs d10 to elevate the movable jaws to grip the edge of the paper.

F F designate forward and rearward chains by which the gripper-carriage is reciprocated back and forth. The opposed ends of these chains are yieldingly connected to the yokes d2 by bolts f, inserted through openings in ears f of each yoke. Coil-springs f2 are interposed between these ears and the heads of the bolts. The forward ends of chains F are secured to the grooved peripheries of wheels f3, fast on a shaft f4, journaled in side frames a2. Aheavy coiled springf, secured at its ends to one of these wheels and the adjoining side frame, constantly exerts a forward pull on the carriage. The rearward ends of chain F are attached to the peripheries of wheelsff, keyed on a shaftfl, extended aeross the front of the machine and mounted at its ends in the side frames. The rearward rotation of shaft f7 will effect the winding of chains F on wheels f6 and effect the return or rearward movementof the gripper -carriage, while the rearward rotation of shaft f4, under the recoil of spring f5, will by winding chains F on wheels f3 effect the forward movement of the gripper-carriage. The terms rearward and forward as herein employed refer to the feeding and delivery ends of the machine, respectively.

G designates the stop mechanism by which the forward movement of the gripper-carriage under the action of the spring f5 is periodically arrested until the full limit of such forward movement is reached. This mechanism comprises a, series of wheels l, fast on shaft f7, mounted in side frames a2, and a corresponding series of dead-stops 2. On the periphery of each wheel are one or morelugs 3, having each a tapered portion 4, side ange 5, a block 5', and a bolt 6, which rmly holds the block up against t-he side ange and inner surface of the wheel-rim. This block and the inner face of the lug are beveled to correspond to the dovetail formation of the wheel- IOO IIC

rim. By loosening and tightening the bolts 6 each lug maybe readilyand easilyadjusted and firmly secured at any point on the periphery of the rim of each wheel. At each end of this series of wheels 1 is a frame 7. These frames have tubular openings at their front ends to accommodate the shaft f7, while at their rear ends they are fastened on a cross-'rod fs, mounted in the side frames a2. The frames 7 support a cross-rod 8, on which are loosely hung a series of arms 9, formed with outer tubular ends, in which are fitted the plates constituting the dead stops 2. These plates have outer flattened ends, with which the lugs 3 contact. Each arm 9 has a depending portion 10, which rest-s on cams 12, one cam being provided for each arm. These cams are fast on a shaftf9, which is supported by the frames 7 and one of the side frames a2, through which it is extended. The several cams 12 are differently positioned, so that but one arm of the series 9 will be operated upon at a time and each in its turn consecutively,beginning with the left-hand arm. As the arm of the dead-stop in engagement with one of thelugs of any one of the Wheels 1 is elevated by its respective cam 12, the deadstop will be disengaged therefrom and the shaft f7 will rotate forward until arrested by another dead-stop of the series contacting with a lug on one of the other wheels. The rearward rotation of shaft fg is effected by a chain flo, driven by the main operating-shaft Hand engaging a sprocket-wheel f12 on said shaft fg.

This chain is passed through a guard f13 and is held taut by an idle wheelfm, journaled on an arm fl, projecting from an overhanging bracket fw, fast on table B. The wheel f12 carries a pawl f7,which engages a ratchethead fla, fast on the end of shaft fi. Ep lessen the force of the blows against the deadstops and deaden the shock when the lugs strike such dead-stops, we employ a series of buffers G', located above the dead-stops 2. These buffers consist of rods 13, fitted in T- sleeves 14 and having outer iiattened ends, which project over and beyond and nearly on line with the outer ends of dead-stops 2. The sleeves 14 are loose on a cross-rod 15, which is supported by curved arms 16, fast on a shaft 17, mounted in frames 7. To the lower end of an arm 1S, fast at its upper end on shaft 17, is secured the outer end of the rod 19 of an air and spring pressed piston 20, movable in a cylinder 2l, which is mounted on cross-rod fs by means of an arm 22, having a split-ring end 23. As a lug approaches its engaging dead-stop after the release of a previously-engaged lug such approaching lug first encounters the buffer, and the latter being forced rearward the air is compressedv in cylinder 21. This compression of the air will absorb the force of the blow of the lug before the latter reaches the dead-stop. J ust as this is about to occur the buffer will be forced out of engagement with the lug by riding on top of the dead-stop, with which latter the lug will strike without any great force. As the buer is thus disengaged from the lug, it will be caused to assume its normal position under the action of the spring 20 on piston 20.

In practice it is essential that the series of lugs on the stop-wheels be set to represent the distances between the several imprints of the numbering-heads on each sheet being operated upon. For instance, if it is desired that the motion imparted to a sheet be such that the space between each impression shall be one-fourth of an inch one lug on the lefthand stop-wheel will be set at the startingpoint and a lug on the next adjacent wheel will be one-fourth of an inch farther back, a lug on the third and fourth wheels each being correspondingly set. Then returning to the first or left-hand wheel a second lug will be set one-fourth of an inch farther back than the lug mentioned on the fourth Wheel, and so on with the lugs of the other wheels, as before recited. In this way the pages of a book might have each of its lines numbered consecutively. Each time a lng is released from one of the dead-stopsv the gripper-carriage pulls the sheet forward until its movementis arrested by the next lug in order. By providing a series of four stop-wheels and periodically releasing the several dead-stops any desired spacing may be'obtained and lugs of sufficient size to form rigid stops can be ern-- ployed. Evenwhorewidespacing--sayfouror five inches-is desired by the aid of the series of buffers which receive and deaden the blows the lugs can be brought into contact with the dead-stops without danger of displacing them. As each buffer is operated air is compressed in the cylinder 21. The cam l2 of the first or left-hand stop-wheel must always be in a position ready to release the dead-stop thereof when the machine is about to make the first impression. ratchet connection between shaftf9 and wheel fe is employed, so that said shaft may be turned independently of said wheel. On said shaft is fastened a collar 24, having a lug 25, which is designed to engage the hooked end 26 of an arm 27 when the latter is lowered. This hooked end preferably consists of a plate 26', pivoted in the end of the arm and normally under the tension of a coiled spring 27, located in a bore in the end of said arm. By thus enabling the hooked end of lthe arm 27 to yield all strain upon the parts is prevented. From arm 27 projects the post e9, which effects the opening of the grippers,as before explained. The arm 27 is mounted on a shaft 2S, having its bearings in.one side frame a2. Also fast on this shaft is a lever 29, which controls the clutch-pulley 77. on the main operating-shaft H. Vhen the machine is out of operation, lever 29 is lowered. This places the hooked end of arm 27 in line to be engaged by lug 25 when shaftj'9 is being rotated to return cams 12 to their starting-points. Now as the machine comes to a standstill at For this reason the paWl-and-l IOO IlO

the delivery of a sheet the cams 12 on shaft f9 may be in any position but the right one. The motion imparted to shaft f7 in returning the stop-wheels 1 to their starting positions effects the turning of shaft f9 rearward until lng 25 engages the hooked end of arm 27, whereupon the said shaft f will be arrested, its Cams 12 being then in proper position for the starting of the machine. When the lever 29 is raised to throw the machine into operation, the arm 27 is elevated clear of lug 25, and shaft f9 is free to be actuated again by the rotation of its sprocket-wheel fm. The turning of shaft f by shaft f7 is effected by means of a gear-wheel 30, fast on shaft f7, engaging a pinion 31, mounted on a stud 31', extended from one of the frames 7, which pinion meshes with a clutch-pinion 32 on shaft ff. This clutch-pinion is composed of two circular disks 33 and 34, the former being an enlarged elongation of the hub of the toothed portion of the pinion. These parts are fitted on a sleeve 35, which is fast on shaftf", being held, preferably, by a transverse pin 35. This sleeve is formed with a circular flange 36, which fits between the two disks 33 and 34, Washers 37 being interposed between said disks and Iiange. The two disks are united exteriorly by oppositely-disposed toggle-like plates 38, held to them by screws 38', said screws being passed through loose fitting openings 39 in said plates. To the heads of these screws of one plate are secured the ends of a bowed spring 40, the tendency of which is to hold the two disks tight against the flange 36. When the shaft fiis being rotated rearward and the shaft f7 forward, as when the gripper-carriage is carrying a sheet forward, the two disks of the clutch-pinion will be spread apart ont of contact with ange 36 and will be revolved oppositely to the rotation of shaft f, on which they will revolve loosely. In this position the movement of the plates 38 is limited by one of them contacting with a pin 40', projecting from disk 34; but when the Carriage is being returned to the front of the machine and the stop-wheels to their starting-points the reverse rotation of shaft f 7 will cause the two disks of the clutch-pinion to frictionally bind against the flange 36, and thus cause shaft ff to turn independently of its wheel]E12 and in the same direction as shaft f7 until its motion is arrested by the lug 25 engaging with the hooked end of arm 27.

L is a wheel loosely journaled on one end of shaft f7. With the lugs on its periphery engages a chain belt Z, which is driven by a small sprocket-wheel Z, fast on shaft 4. This shaft 4 is mounted in the adjacent frame d2, and on it is keyed a pulley z'X, which is driven by a belt t'XX, leading from a counter-shaft (not shown) overhead. The wheel L is constantly rotated in one direction-outward, or rearward'f7 as the term is herein employedas indicated by the arrows on Figs. 4 and 12. Upon the inner side of wheel L is a iiange Z2,

scares upon the inner surface of which are small triangular lugs Z3, which are designed to be engaged by a pawl Z4 of a clutch device carried by shaft]E7 when it is desired to reverse the rotation of said shaft to return the gripper-car riage and stop mechanism to the startingpoints. The pawl Z4 is mounted fast on a short shaft 50, supported by anarm 5l, keyed on shaft f7. Also fast upon shaft 50 is an arm 52. A coiled spring 53 tends to normally hold the pawl Z4 outward in engagement with the lugs Z3. To a boss on arm 5l is pivoted a dog 54, the purpose of which is to engage the end of and hold arm 52, said dog being under the tension of a coiled spring 55. On shaft f7 is a sleeve 56, having a lug 57, which when the pawl Z4 is released and in engagement with lugs Z3 is engaged by arm 52 and forces the latter outward into engagement with dog 54. The sleeve 56 is elongated so as to` extend through an opening in the side frame a2 and is held by a set-screw m. On this sleeve is a wheel M. This wheel has connected to its hub one end of a coiled spring m', the tendency of which is to turn said wheel outward in the direction of arrow la, Fig. 11. To the periphery of this wheel is secured one end of a chain m2, the other end of which is connected to a depending portion m3 of arm e5. The position of wheel M is thus controlled by the position of said arm (a5-that is, when the latter is adjusted to regulate the point of release of the grippers along the length of the frame the wheel M must be correspondingly adjusted. From one side of the wheel M projects a lug m4, which is designed to be engaged by a projecting lug m5 of dog 54. When this occurs, the said dog will be forced to swing and release arm 52 and allow pawl Z4 to engage lugs Z3, and thus cause arm 51 and shaft f7 to revolve outward with wheel L, thereby returning the gripper-carriage and stop-wheels to the starting-points. As the arm 52 engages thelug 57 it is again forced into engagement with dog 54, thereby disengaging pawl Z4 from lugs Z3. This occurs as the gripper-carriage and stop-wheels reach the starting-points. If a long sheet is being printed upon, the arm e5 is moved rearward on rod cZJ and the pull on chain m2 turns wheel M as against the tension of spring 'm'. Likewise for a short sheet the arm e5 is moved toward the feeding end of the machine and the wheel M turns under the recoil of its spring until held by the fastening of arm c5 on its rod. The chain m2 is always held taut.

I designates an endless belt located between the side frames a2 and passed over drums i i', journaled in said side frames. The drum 'Z on one of its journals has a gear-wheel 2, which is driven by a pinion Z3, fast on shaft t4. The lower loop of the belt I is supported as against sagging by a small roll Z6, passed transversely thereunder and journaled in brackets t7, projecting from column A, and is prevented from moving laterally by contact with the bent ends 10 of arms 12.

IOO

IIO

The belt in delivering a sheet dropped thereon from the grippers coacts with a series of endless tapes is, bearing against drum t" and passed over a series of rollers 9, mounted in end extensions of frames a2. A sheet carried against drum ft" by the belt and tapes will fall onto table C.

K is a rod extended transversely between the frames above belt I, being mounted at one end in a boss of arm e5 and at its other end in a tubular bearing la, adjustable on the adjacent rod d2. From this rod K project fingers 7c', having outer uptnrned ends k2. As the gripper-carriage reaches the rearward limit of its movement and the grippers are opened by the engagement of arm e4 thereof with arm e5, the edge of the sheet being in Contact with the ends of said fingers, the sheet will be caused to drop from the grippers onto the endless belt. Each finger consists of a narrow plate having a slotted end held to a bracket 7c3 by a screwV k, said bracket being adj ustably secured on rod K by a bolt 755. Each bracket has an overhanging arm k6 and a lower curved portion k7, which tits up against the rod K.

The main operating-shaft His mounted in uprights of the side frames, and loose upon it is the clutclrpulley h, which fits between a collar h', fast on said shaft, and the sleeve of a hand-wheel talso fast thereon. Within a longitudinal bore GO of this pulley is located a bolt 6l, which extends through bushings 62 63 in the ends of said bore. A spring 64, encircling this bolt and bearing against bushing 62 and a transverse pin G5, tends to 'force said bolt into a corresponding hole 66 in collar h. lVhen the pulley is so locked to the collar, the shaft H will be caused to revolve, a suitable drivingbelt (not shown) being placed in engagement with any one of the steps of said pulley. The bolt 6l at its outer end has a groove 67, and a short distance inward is a recess 68. Into this recess when the bolt Gl is pulled outward, so as to disengage collar 7i', is projected the reduced end of a locking-block G9. This block, which is preferably cylindrical, ts in a bore 69 of the pulley at right angles to the bore 60 and is forced outward by a spring 70, which is held in said bore G0 by a screw-plug 70. A short pin 7l projects vfrom block 69 outward through a slot 72 in the front face of the pulley.

7 3 is a Vertically-movable slide, which consists of a plate connected at its lower end by a pitman 73 to the rear end of lever 29. This slide works in a guide-block 74, having at one side a tubular portion 7st', which accommodates a short shaft 75, mounted at its inner end in a tubular bearing 75 of the side frame. On shaft 75, near the inner end thereof, is a collar 75, to which is secured a metallic strap 76D, the upper end of which is lined with leather and encircles the collar h on the shaft- H. This strap and collar act as a brake to released.

plate is flared laterally and formed with a concaved surface 7 6' and a cam-like shoulder 77, which is tapered throughout its length, terminating at one end Hush with the outer face of the slide. On the inner face of the latter the flared end thereof is formed with a curved shoulder 78, which is designed to engage pin 7l. When so engaged, the downward movement of the slide will withdraw block 69 out of engagement with bolt 61, which latter will be forced by its spring into engagement with collar h. When the slide is moved upward,.the .cam-like shoulder 77 thereof will engage the groove 67 of the bolt 6l, and as the pulley is revolving said bolt will be drawn outward by reason of the taper of said shoulder and beforeescaping from the slide will be locked by the spring-pressed block 69. Thus it will be seen that by operating lever 29 the clutch-pulley can be locked to and released from the main operatingshaft H.

The lever 29 at its outer end has a laterallyextended hook 80, which when said lever is raised will be engaged by the upper shoulder of a lower hooked end of an upright retaining-lever N, fulcrumed on bracket fw. Inclosed within a boss on the end of this bracket is a spring 8l, which tends to throw the lower long arm of lever N outward and hold the hooked end thereof against the hook 8O of lever 29. The lower end of the retaining-lever has an upper shoulder 8lX and a lower shoulder 82, forminga double hook. Beneath tho lower shoulder S2 to a iiange of lever N is pivoted a dog 83, normally under the tension of a spring 83C This dog is intended to receive the blow of an arm St, fast on the end of shaft f7, which will move the retaining-lever inward a distance sufficient to cause the hook of lever 29 to drop onto the lower shoulder 82. This will effect the unlocking of the clutch-pulley and cause the machine to stop. In the reversal of shaft f7 the arm 84 thereof will strike dog S3 and turn the latter as against the tension of its spring without affecting the retaining-lever. I

The machine is set in motion by the operator pressing his foot on a treadle O, fulcrumed on base a and connected by a link 0/ to one end of a rod o2, mounted in bearings on the front of frame-oar a'. both of its ends cranked, and to its outer end is connected an upright rod o3, which is passed through a guide oil, projecting inwardly from one of the side frames CL2. At its upper end this rod o3 contacts with a shoulder ox, formed on the under side of arm 27. By depressing the treadle the rod will raise arm 27, freeing the lug 25 of shaft fg of the hooked end of said arm and by elevating le ver 2f) onto shoulder 8l throw the clutch-pulley into engagement with the main operating-shaft.

The printing mechanism is in practice located above the inner section of the table B. Of course various kinds of such mechanism This rod has' IOO ' numbering head.

may be employed. In the use of numberingheads any known form of revolving disks may be used, the numbers being capable of successive and sequential changes after each imprint or every second imprint, if required. It is essential that the printing mechanism in its operation bear a fixed relation to the movements of the sheet-conveyer. By this is meant that the printing mechanism or numbering-heads are so operated as to make an imprint or imprints upon the sheet each time the conveyer is arrested, the forward movements of the conveyer occurring between the several imprints and while the printing mechanism is on the recovery and return strokes. In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated numbering-heads so mounted as to have a vertical reciprocating movement.

P P designate the numbering-heads; p, the carriers therefor; p', the frames for said carriers; p2, the inking-rolls; p3,the carriers for said rolls; p4,theinkingplates; p5,theshifters for said plates; p6, crank-shafts for operating the carriers p and shifters p5, andp7 the castings supporting the frames p. All of these parts, including the threaded rodsp8 and p9 for adiusting the positions of the numbering-heads,their frames,and castings,form the subject-matter of an application for patent filed by John F. McNutt, May 25, 1898, Serial No. 681,675, and need not be herein described in detail. It is sufficient to say that the main operating-shaft H is extended through the castings p7 and. effects the vertical reciprocation of the numbering-head carriers through the agency of crank-shafts p6. The castings p7 are mounted on a cross-rod p10, supported by the side frames.

The locking of the clutch-pulley hto shaft I-I simultaneously sets in operation the printing mechanism and the rotation of the shaft j, by which the several deadstops are successively moved to allow the sheet-conveyer to travel forward. This forward movement occurs after each imprint of the numberingheads and is arrested by the time the neXt imprint is about to occur.

R R designate pull-back devices for taking up slack in the paper and holding it taut and straight while receiving impressions. Each device is connected to the frame p of each To the lower end of an arm S, depending from said frame, is secured a bracket s, having a lower forked end, in which islocated a lever s', held'fast on a shaft s2, supported by said bracket, by as crew s3, extended through the short arm of said lever. A rod s4, extended inward at right angles to said shaft,is held on the latter by a boss S5 and a set-screw s6. The forward end S7 of this rod is bent upwardly, and to its upper end is pivoted a depending link S8. A curved arm S9,se cured to the upwardly-bent end s7,is projected through a hole in said link and is encompassed by a coiled spring S10, which serves to hold said link against the'said end S7. On a short rod slprojccted laterally from thc lower end of link S8, is firmly secured a block of rubber t. To the outer end of screw s3 is secured the lower end ofa spiral spring t', the upper end thereof being attached to bracket s. The office of this spring is' to so hold the parts that the rubberz will bear firmly on the paper. As each sheet is being pulled forward by the gripper-carriage the rubber and the link are pulled slightly away from the end of rod s4 against the tension of spring S10. The rubber constantly bears against the paper while the machineis in operation, and as each sheet is pulled forward any slack therein is removed and the paper is held taut and straight. To release the rubber when a sheet is to be adjusted to the grippers, we connect a rod T to the inner end of lever s, the upper end thereof being secured to a crank t2, splined on a shaft 153, having its bearings in the upper end of frame p/ and a block t4, secured on casting p7. On the rear end of this shaft t3 is splined a second crank t5, from which projects a pin t6. This pin rests on the flattened portion t7 of a shaft U, extended above and parallel with the main operating-shaft, being supported by extensions of the side frames. To a crank-arm tu on one end of this shaft U is connected one end of a rod w', which at its other end is secured to the short arm of the retaining-lever N. When this lever is moved so as to pull on rod w, shaft U is partly turned, and the edgeuof the flattened surface thereof engages the pin t6, forcing it upward, and, through causing the partial rotation of shaft t3, the outer end of crank t2 is thrown up, elevating the rod T. This rod being connected to lever s' will, through shaft s2 and rod s4, slightly raise the link and rubber. In starting the clutch-lever 29 is raised onto the upper shoulder 8l of the retaining-lever N. The lower end of the latter being thus moved inward, the rod w will turn shaft U so that the pins t6 will rest on the flat surfaces thereof, thereby allowing the rubbers to lower onto the paper. The machine being started, (by the location of the hooked end of lever 29 on the upper shoulder of the retaining-lever,) the first impression made, and the grippers released, (which occurs by the elevation of arm 27, the screw of which crowds aside the dog 97,) the sheet will be advanced one period by the rearward movement of the gripper-carriage. As the sheet is drawn forward the rubbers by their friction will cause the links to assume the position shown in dotted lines Z, all slack in the paper being thus removed and the sheet held taut and straight. This continues throughout the printing of the sheet. The two shoulders constituting the hooked end of the retaining-lever N are designed to allow the rubbers to remain on the sheet until the last impression has been made. As the gripper-carriage moves to the last printing position the arm 84 on the end of the stop-wheel shaft f7 strikes the dog 83 in the lower end of lever N and forces the latter inward sufficient to cause the clutch-lever 29 IIO to fall to the lower shoulder 82. This causes the disengagement of the clutch-pulley from shaft H, but does not remove the rubbers from the sheet. Before the clutch-pulley is disengaged the gripper-carriage reaches the rearward limitof movement. Asit is moved to that position and as the sheet is released the arm St forces the lever N still farther inward, the hooked end of clutch-lever 29 engaging the point of the lower shoulder S2. The le'ver N upon being moved into this position .draws outward rod w and effects the raising of the rubbers from the paper. They continue in this position while the gripper-carriage is being returned to its rearward position and a second sheet is being positioned to be printed upon and gripped by the grippers. The sheet being so positionedfthe operator presses his foot on treadle O, effecting the elevation of the clutch-lever 29, which throws the clutchpulley into engagement with shaft H, and the retaining-lever N is swung outward by its spring, and its upper hook 81X is moved beneath the hooked end of said lever 29 and holds the same until the arm Se of the stopwheel shaft again forces the retaining-lever N inward.

With what has been said the operation of our improved machine will be apparent, but may be briefly described as follows: A sheet is first positioned so as to be engaged by the grippers, which are then up against the inner edge of the extension of table B. The clutch-pulley 7i being locked to shaft H, the rotation of the latter will cause the descent of the numbering-heads against the sheet and will also rotate the shaft fg. As soon as the first imprint has been made the cam l2 of the dead-stop engaging the left-hand stopwheel frees the latter, and the gripper-carriage is moved forward until arrested by the second stop-wheel and its respective deadstop. During the forward movement of the gripper-carriage the numbering-heads are elevated from the sheet, and the carriage is arrested in time for such sheet to receive the second imprint of said heads. Thus the carriage is periodically arrested to receive the imprints and is released between such imprints, so that the sheet may be advanced the predetermined distance. This is continued until the sheet has been printed upon the desired number of times, the latter being regulated mainly by the spaces intervening between the lugs of the several stop-wheels. As the gripper-carriage reaches the rearward limit of its movement the grippers are opened and the sheet drops ont-o the belt I, by which it is conveyed to table C. As the sheet is thus dropped the clutch-pulley is disengaged from the operating-shaft, and then the rubbers lare elevated from the paper. Then the rotation of the stop-wheel shaft is reversed by its clutch engaging the sprocket-wheel L, and the stop-wheels are returned to the starting-point, and at the same time the grippercarriage is returned to the rear edge of the feed-table. The reverse movement of the stop-wheel shaft effects the rotation of the cam-carrying shaft fg, returning the cams to the starting-point, so that as the first imprint is made the first or left-hand stop-wheel will be operated. After a second sheet is positioned the depression of the foot-treadle will effect the release of the grippers, causing them to grip the sheet, and at the same time the clutch-pulley is again locked to the operating-shaft, and the operation described is repeated.

It will be understood that although the means shown and described for imparting to the sheet-conveyer a forward movement comprehends the use of springs, yet the invention is not restricted in this respect, nor is it confined to the exact form of embodiment used as illustrative thereof in the drawings and foregoing specification.

IVe claim as our inventionl. In a printing-machine, the combination of vertically-reciprocating printing mechanism, a conveyer for moving the article to be printed upon across the printingeld in movements successive to the several imprints, adjustable means for arresting and controlling the extent of each of such movements relatively to the other movements, and means for automatically returning the conveyer to its starting-point when the full predetermined limit of its movement is reached, substantially as set forth.

2. In a numbering-machine, the combination of vertically-reciprocating printing mechanism, a conveyer for moving the article to be printed upon across the printing-field, stop mechanism for arresting the movements of such conveyer successively to each imprint, means for adjusting such stop mechanism for regulating the extent of any one or more of said movements, and means for automatically returning the conveyer to its starting-point when the full or predetermined limit of its successive movements is reached, substantially as set forth.

3. In a printing-machine, the combination of vertically-reciprocating printing mechanism, a feed-table, a con veyer for moving the article to be printed upon across the printingfield in movements successive to the several imprints, frictional devices normally bearing on said table, adjustable means for arresting and controlling the extent of each movement of the conveyer relatively to the other movements, and means for automatically returning the conveyer to its starting-point when the full predetermined limit of its movement is reached, substantially as set forth.

4. In a printing-machine, the combination of vertically-reciprocating printing mechanism, a feed-table, a conveyer for moving the article to be printed upon across the printingeld in movements successive to the several imprints, frictional devices normally bearing on said table, adjustable means for arresting and controlling the extent of each movement ICO IIO

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of the conveyer, means for automatically returning the conveyer to its starting-point when the full predetermined limit of its movement is reached, and means for elevating said frictional devices as said conveyer reaches said limit of movement, substantially as set forth.

5. A printing-machine having reciprocatingprinting mechanism,aforwardly-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of stop-wheels operated by said conveyer, means engaging said stop-wheels for arresting said conveyer prior to the imprints of such mechanism and means for releasing said stop-wheels after each imprint, as set forth.

6. A printing-machine having reciprocating printing mechanism, a spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of dead-stops, a series of spaced-apart stop-lugs movable in line of contact with said dead-stops, said stoplugs being so arranged that but one at a time will be in engagement with one of said deadstops, each of the latter being engaged consecutively by different stop-lugs, and means for releasing the engaged stop-lug, as set forth.

7. A printing-machine having reciprocating printing mechanism, a spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels having lugs on their peripheries, a corresponding series of dead-stops designed to he engaged by said lugs, said wheels being operated by said conveyer, and means for disengaging said deadstops from said lugs, as set forth.

8. A printing-machine having reciprocating printing mechanism, a spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of stops for periodically arresting said conveyer,said stops being spaced apart to regulate the spaces between the imprints of said mechanism, and means for releasing said conveyer after each imprint, as set forth.

9. A printing-machine having reciprocating printing` mechanism, a spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of Wheels having spaced-apart lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead -stops corresponding to said wheels designed to be engaged by said lugs,

, means for operating said dead-stops to release said wheels, and connections between said conveyer and wheels, as set forth.

lO. A printing-machine having reciprocating printing mechanism, a spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels having spaced-apart stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead-stops corresponding to said wheels, said stop-1ugs being movable in line of contact with said dead-stops and so arranged on the perpheries of the several Wheels that but one at a time will be in engagement with one of said dead-stops, each of the latter being engaged consecutively by different stop-lugs, and means for releasing the engaged stop-lugs, substantially as set forth.

11. A printing-machine having a springimpelled gripper-carriage, means for periodicallyarresting said carriage and then releasing the same until the full limit of movement thereof is reached, and means for disengaging the grippers at the end of said movement, as set forth.

12. A printing-machine having verticallyreciprocating printing mechanism, a horizontally-movable spring-impelled gripper-carriage, means'for arresting said carriage during each imprint of said mechanism, means for releasing the same after each imprint, until the full limit of movement of said carriage is reached, and means for disengaging the grippers at the end of `said movement, as set forth.

13. A printing-machine having verticallyreciprocating printing mechanism, a horizontally-movable spring-impelled gripper-carriage, means for arresting said carriage during each imprint of said mechanism, means for releasing the same after each imprint, until the full limit of movement of said carriage is reached, means for opening and holding the grippers at the end of said movement, means for returning said carriage to its startin g-point, and means for closing said grippers when the carriage is at such starting-point, as set forth.

14. A printing-machine having a horizontally movable spring impelled sheet conveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, stop mechanism under the control of said shaft for periodically arresting the forward movement of said conveyer and means for automatically reversing the rotation of said shaft when said conveyer reaches the limit of its spring-impelled movement, substantially as set forth.

15. A printing-machine having a horizontally movable spring impelled sheet conveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a wheel loose on said shaft, means for constantly rotating said wheel, and a clutch on said shaft designed to be thrown into engagement with said wheel when said conveyer reaches the limit of its spring-impelled movement, as set forth.

16. A printing-machine having a horizontally movable spring im pelled sheet conveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, stop mechanism under the control of said shaft for periodically arresting the forward movement of said conveyer, a wheel loose on said shaft, means for constantly rotating said wheel, and a clutch on said shaft designed to be thrown into engagement with said wheel when said conveyer reaches the limit of its forward movement, whereby it will be returned to its startingpoint, as set forth.

17. The combination with the spring -impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a corresponding series of dead-stops for engaging said stop-lugs,means for releasing said dead-stops, and means for IOO IIO

esmas reversing the rotation of said shaft when said conveyer reaches the limit of its forward movement, substantially as set forth.

18. A printing-machine having ahorizontally movable spring impelled sheet conyeyer, a rot-ary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a constantly-rotated wheel loose on said rotary shaft, a clutch fast on said shaft, and means for throwing said clutch into engagement with said wheel, for reversing the rotation of said shaft, when said conveyer reaches the limit of its forward movement, substantially as set forth.

19. Aprinting-machine having a horizontallymovable springim pelled sheetconveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a constantly-rotated wheel loose on said rotary shaft having inwardly-projecting lugs, and a clutch comprising a springpressed pawl designed to engage said lugs, and means for holding said pawl out of engagement with said lugs, substantially as set forth.

20. A printing-machine having a horizontally-movable springimpelled sheetconveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a constantly-rotated wheel loose on said rotary shaft having inwardly-projecting lugs, and a clutch comprising a springpressed pawl designed to engage said lugs, an arm connected to said pawl, a spring-pressed dog designed to hold said arm, and means for moving said arm into engagement with and releasing it from said dog, substantially as set forth.

2l. A printing-machine having a horizontally movable springimpelled sheet conveyer, a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a constantly-rotated wheel loose on said rotary shaft having inwardly-projecting lugs, and a clutch comprising a springpressed pawl designed to engage said lugs, a short shaft to which said pawl is secured, an arm also fast on said short shaft, a springpressed dog designed to hold said arm, a carn for forcing said arm into engagement with said dog, and means for moving said dog away from said arm, substantially as set forth.

22. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer' is connected, a springimpelled wheel on said shaft, a lug projecting from said wheel, a constantly-operated wheel loose on said shaft, and a clutch fast on said shaft designed to be released by said lug'of said spring-impelled wheel when said conveyer reaches the full limit of its forward movement, whereby the rotation of said shaft will be reversed by the said constantly-operated wheel, substantially as set forth.

23. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, a springimpelled wheel, a lug projecting from said wheel, a constantly-operated wheel loose on said shaft, an arrn fast on said shaft, a springpressed pawl mounted on said arm designed to engage said constantly-operated wheel, a second arm fast on the pivot-shaft of said pawl, a spring-pressed dog pivoted on the first-mentioned arm and designed to be engaged by and hold said second arm, and a lug projecting from said dog designed to be engaged by said lug of said spring-impelled wheel, substantially as set forth.

24E. A printing-machine having a springimpelled sheet-conveyer, a series of concentrically-arranged stop-lugs rotated by said conveyer, a corresponding series of deadstops with which said stop-lugs are designed to engage, and yielding buffers with which said stop-lugs contact before engaging said dead-stops, substantially as set forth.

25. A printing-machine having a spring-V impelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels rotated by said con veyer havingspaced-apart stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead-stops with which said stop-lugs are designed to engage, and a series of yielding buffers corresponding to said dead-stops with which said stop-lugs contact before engaging said dead-stops, substantially as set forth.

26. A printing-machine having a springimpelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels rotated bysaid conveyer having spaced-apart stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead-stops with which said stop-lugs are designed to engage, and a series of buffers having their outer ends in advance of said deadstops, said buffers being pivotally mounted, and a yielding device designed to receive the blow of said stop-lugs against said buffers, substantially as set forth.

27. A printing-machine having a springimpelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels rotated by said conveyer having spaced-apart stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead-stops wit-h which said stop-lugs are designed to engage, and a series of buffers consisting of rods having theirouter ends in advance of said dead-stops, a shaft supporting said rods, a piston and cylinder therefor, and a connection between said piston and said shaft, substantially as set forth.

28. A printing-machine having a springiinpelled sheet-conveyer, a series of wheels, operated by said conveyer, having stop-lugs ou their peripheries, framesv adjacent said wheels having a cross-rod, a series of deadstops pivotally secured on said cross-rod, designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs, a shaft also supported by said frames, a second rod mounted on said shaft, a series of buffers pivotally mounted on said second rod and projected in advance of said dead-stops, a piston and cylinder therefor, an arm secured to said shaft and connected to said piston, and means for releasing said dead-stops, substantially as set forth.

29. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft` to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their IOO IIO

peripheries, and means designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs for arresting said conveyer, each of said wheels having dovetailed rims, and each of said lugs consisting of an angular plate, a block, and a holdingscrew therefor, said 4plate and block having tapered surfaces to conform to the taper of said wheel-rim, substantially as set forth.

30. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of pivoted arms having plates projecting therefrom, forming dead -stops, with which said stop-lugs are designed to engage, and means for moving said arms, substantially as set forth.

3l. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of pivoted arms having depending portions, and outwardly-proj ectin g plates, and a second shaft having cams for engaging said depending portions, substantially as set forth.

32. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of depending arms having depending portions, and outwardly-projecting plates, a second shaft beneath said arms having a series of cams thereon differentially arranged, whereby each arm will be successively acted upon by said cams, substantially as set forth.

33. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of pivoted arms having outwardly-projecting plates, said sto p-lu gs bein g so arranged that but one at a time will be in engagement with one of said plates, a second shaft beneath said arms having a series of dierentially-arranged cams for operating each of said arms successively, substantially as set forth.

34:. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft and having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of pivoted arms having plates forming dead-stops, a corresponding series of pivoted rods located above, and extended in advance of, said plates, a movable support for said rods, a cylinder and a springpressed piston therein having its rod connected to said support, substantially as set forth.

35. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on theirperipheries, a series of pivoted arms having plates forming dead-stops, a corresponding series of rods located above, and extended in advance of, said plates, a second shaft having arms secured thereon, a rod supported by said arms having sleeves in which said rods are secured, an arm fast on said second shaft, a cylinder, and a spring-pressed piston therein having its rod connected to the last-mentioned arm, substantially as set forth.

3G. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said shaft having stop-lugs on theirperipheries, frames adjacent to saidwheels having a cross-rod, a series of dead-stops pivoted on said cross-rod and designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs, a second rotary shaft extended between said frames, aseries of cams thereon for engaging said I dead-stops and releasing them from said stop-lugs, a series of bnffers in advance of said dead-stops designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs, and a springpressed piston designed to relieve said buffers and return them to their normal positions, substantially as set forth.

37. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, of a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said rotary shaft having stop-lugs on their peri pheries, a series of dead-stops designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs, a second shaft having a series of differently-arranged cams for successively operating each of said deadstops, means for rotating said second shaft independently connected thereto, a clutch connection between both of said shafts, and means for reversing the rotation of said rotary shaft, whereby said conveyer and stopwheels will be returned to their startingpoints, and said second shaft will be rotated independently of its driving means, substantially as set forth.

38. The combination with the spring-impelled sheet-conveyer, rof a rotary shaft to which said conveyer is connected, and stop mechanism comprising a series of wheels fast on said rotary shaft having stop-lugs on their peripheries, a series of dead-stops designed to be engaged by said stop-lugs, a second shaft having a series of differently-arranged cams for successively operating each of said deadstops, means for rotating said second shaft independently connected thereto, gearing between both of said shafts comprisinga clutchpinion, and means for reversing the rotation of said rotary shaft, whereby said conveyer and stop wheels will be returned to their starting-points, and said second shaft will be rotated independently of its driving means, substantially as set forth.

39. The combination with the spring-im- IOO IIO

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